John Andariese, beloved Knicks broadcaster, dead at 78

John Andariese, the popular analyst on Knicks telecasts and radio broadcasts for nearly 40 years, died Monday at his Florida home after a long battle with dementia. He was 78.

Andariese began working on the team’s radio broadcasts in 1972 and for 12 years was the network’s television analyst alongside Marv Albert before returning to the radio side. Andariese resigned in 2012, in part to spend more time with his family.

The Brooklyn native, nicknamed “Johnny Hoops,” was a three-time All-City player of the year at Fordham (1956-60). He was the Rams’ captain his senior year and led the team to a pair of NIT berths. Andariese was inducted into The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a…